Emeril John Lagasse III (born October 15, 1959) is an American celebrity chef, restaurateur, television personality, and cookbook author. He won the National Best Recipe award in 2003 for his “Turkey and Hot Sausage Chili.” A regional James Beard Award winner, Lagasse is known for his expertise in Creole and Cajun cuisine, as well as his “New New Orleans” style.
Of Portuguese descent on his mother’s side and French heritage on his father’s, he became famous for catchphrases like “Kick it up a notch!” and “Bam!”
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Emeril Lagasse Net Worth
Emeril Lagasse has a net worth of $70 million. In February 2008, he sold his brand assets, excluding his restaurant chain, to Martha Stewart’s MSLO for $50 million ($45 million in cash and $5 million in stock).
These assets were merged into Sequential Brands Group in 2015, then sold in 2019, along with Martha Stewart’s assets, to Marquee Brands for $175 million. By the time of the sale, Emeril had already distanced himself from the deal.
Early life
Emeril John Lagasse III was born on October 15, 1959, in Fall River, Massachusetts. His father, Emeril John Lagassé Jr., was from Quebec, and his mother, Hilda Medeiros, was from Portugal. Raised in a very Catholic household, Lagasse worked at a Portuguese bakery as a teenager, discovering his love for cooking.
He enrolled in a culinary arts program at Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School. Lagasse received a scholarship to the New England Conservatory of Music but chose to attend Johnson & Wales University in 1978, later receiving an honorary doctorate.
Career
Emeril Lagasse trained at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, and worked at a local restaurant to pay for his tuition. In October 1978, he married fellow student Elizabeth Kief.
After refining his skills in Paris and Lyon, he returned to the U.S. and worked in fine restaurants before becoming executive chef at Commander’s Palace in 1982, replacing Paul Prudhomme. In 1990, he opened his first restaurant, Emeril’s in New Orleans’ Warehouse District, earning accolades like Restaurant of the Year and a Wine Spectator Grand Award.
Personal Life
Emeril Lagasse met his first wife, Elizabeth Kief, while working at the Venus De Milo Restaurant in Swansea, Massachusetts. They had two children before divorcing. He remarried fashion designer Tari Hohn, but the marriage ended without children.
In 2000, Lagasse married Alden Lovelace, a real estate broker, and they had two children, including E. J., who is involved in the culinary industry. In 2011, the family moved to Destin, Florida. Lagasse’s mother, Hilda Medeiros Lagasse, passed away in 2016, and his father, Emeril Jr., died in March 2024.
What happened to Emeril Lagasse?
According to Emeril Lagasse’s website, he sold much of his previous business interests, first to Martha Stewart’s group and later to another company. He is now focusing on the restaurants he still owns.
Conclusion
Emeril Lagasse’s journey from a bakery assistant to a culinary superstar highlights his passion, skill, and entrepreneurial spirit. His ability to blend cooking with entertainment and business savvy has made him not just a chef, but a brand in his own right.
FAQs about Emeril Lagasse Net Worth
- How much is Emeril Lagasse worth? Approximately $70 million.
- What are some of Emeril’s most popular TV shows? “Essence of Emeril,” “Emeril Live,” and “Eat the World with Emeril Lagasse.”
- Has Emeril won any awards for his cooking shows? Yes, including a Daytime Emmy for “Eat the World with Emeril Lagasse.”
- What philanthropic work does Emeril do? He supports disadvantaged and underprivileged children through the Emeril Lagasse Foundation.
- Where does Emeril Lagasse live? He splits his time between New Orleans and Destin, Florida.
